Rough early reviews for prosecutor in Arias trial

Jodi Arias claims she killed her ex-boyfriend Travis Alexander in self-defense, even though she had given authorities other stories about how he died in the past.

She said during direct examination this week that she can’t remember much about the day Alexander died, including the moments where he was stabbed 29 times.

On Thursday though, prosecutor Juan Martinez began questioning Arias’ claims that she couldn’t remember the specifics about the brutal slaying.

One part of the exchange played out, “Do you have problems with your memory, Ma’am?” Martinez asked.

“Sometimes,” Arias quickly answered.

On Thursday night, HLN’s Dr. Drew talked to two men who are no strangers to the legal system, former major crimes prosecutor Alan Jackson and attorney Mark Eiglarsh. They analyzed the tactics of Martinez during his first day of cross-examination.

“There is absolutely going to be a time when the prosecutor is going to need to strike hard blows,” Jackson said. “The beginning of the cross examination is not usually that time because you haven't developed that chemistry inside the courtroom with the jury … I thought that the prosecution came out a little too heavy-handed -- a little too aggressive.”

Eiglarsh added, “I think he's doing the best he can at his level of awareness, but I agree with Alan. He came out just completely over-the-top aggressive -- completely disorganized. I didn't know where he was going at times … when I do [cross-examination] in court, it is completely marked out step-by-step.”